* [![Prespective](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/prespective-icon.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives)
* Michael Sikorski  
  ![Michael Sikorski](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/michael-sikorski.jpg)

# Michael Sikorski

CTO \& VP Engineering, Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks  
Michael "Siko" Sikorski is the CTO and VP of Engineering and Threat Intelligence at Unit 42. He is an industry expert in reverse engineering and wrote the best seller, Practical Malware Analysis. Previously at Mandiant and the NSA, Mike has over 20 years of experience working on high-profile incidents and leading R\&D teams. He also teaches cybersecurity at Columbia University.

## More by this author

![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/agentic-aI-featured.jpg) BLOG

**The Next Great Cybersecurity Threat: Agentic AI**

How AI has moved into an active participant in our digital world....

[Michael Sikorski](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/michael-sikorski/ "Posts by Michael Sikorski")
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/the-next-great-cybersecurity-threat-agentic-ai/)  
![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/era-of-ransomware-featured.jpg) BLOG

**We've Entered the 'Big Game Hunting' Era of Ransomware**

Outsmart next-gen ransomware before it locks you out....

[Michael Sikorski](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/michael-sikorski/ "Posts by Michael Sikorski")
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/we-have-entered-the-big-game-hunting-era-of-ransomware/)  
![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/third-party-risks-are-rising-featured.jpg) BLOG

**The Weakest Link in Your Cybersecurity Isn't What You Think**

Third-party risks are rising --- is your supply chain prepared?...

[Michael Sikorski](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/michael-sikorski/ "Posts by Michael Sikorski")
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/the-weakest-link-in-your-cybersecurity-isnt-what-you-think/)  
STAY CONNECTED

## Connect with our team today

Job Level  
Sign me up to receive news, product updates, sales outreach, event information and special offers about Palo Alto Networks and its partners.  
By submitting this form, I understand my personal data will be processed in accordance with Palo Alto Networks [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) and [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown).  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.
Reach out  
{#footer} Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security/prisma-airs?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Identity Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira?ts=markdown)

* [Privileged Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/privileged-access-management?ts=markdown)

* [Identity and Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-and-access-management?ts=markdown)

* [Endpoint Privilege Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/endpoint-privilege-manager?ts=markdown)

* [Identity Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-governance?ts=markdown)

* [Workforce Password Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/workforce-password-management?ts=markdown)

* [Agentic Identities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/agentic?ts=markdown)

* [Secrets Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/secrets-management?ts=markdown)

* [Unified Secrets Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/unified-secrets-governance?ts=markdown)

* [Application Credentials Delivery](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/application-credentials-delivery?ts=markdown)

* [Vendor Privileged Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/vendor-privileged-access?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)  
  Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)

* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)

* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)

* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)

* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)

* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)

* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)

* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)  
  Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)

* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)

* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)

* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)

* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)

* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)

* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)

* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)

* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)

* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)

* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)

* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)

* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![Palo Alto Networks Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)

* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)

* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)

* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)

* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* AU  
  Select your language
